A Fasting Insulin test measures the level of insulin in your blood after an overnight fast. This test helps evaluate insulin resistance, a condition where cells don’t respond properly to insulin, leading to metabolic problems and diabetes risk.
What This Test Measures
Fasting Insulin:
The amount of insulin circulating in your blood after not eating. Insulin is the hormone that allows cells to absorb glucose from blood. In insulin resistance, the body produces more insulin to compensate.
Reference Range
Optimal fasting insulin: Less than 10 μU/mL
Higher levels may indicate insulin resistance
Note: Reference ranges vary by laboratory and there’s no universal consensus on optimal levels.
Who Should Consider This Test
• Evaluating insulin resistance
• Metabolic syndrome assessment
• PCOS evaluation (insulin resistance is common)
• Family history of type 2 diabetes
• Prediabetes or borderline glucose
• Unexplained weight gain, especially abdominal
• Fatigue after eating
• Optimizing metabolic health
Why Test Fasting Insulin
Fasting insulin can detect problems before fasting glucose becomes abnormal:
• Insulin resistance develops years before diabetes
• High fasting insulin with normal glucose indicates early dysfunction
• Helps assess cardiovascular and metabolic risk
HOMA-IR
Fasting insulin and glucose together can calculate HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance):
• HOMA-IR = (Fasting Insulin × Fasting Glucose) / 405
• Normal: Less than 1.0
• Insulin resistance: Greater than 2.0
How It Works
1. Order your test online – no doctor visit required
2. Fast for 8-12 hours
3. Visit any Quest Diagnostics location in the morning
4. Results delivered to your secure portal within 1-2 business days
Preparation
Fast for 8-12 hours. Water is permitted. Test in the morning for best results.
Related Tests to Consider
• Fasting Glucose – Calculate HOMA-IR together
• HbA1c – Average blood sugar
• Lipid Panel – Metabolic assessment
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel – Overall health
Why Choose Wittmer Rejuvenation Clinic
At $45, our Fasting Insulin test is affordably priced. We partner with Quest Diagnostics for reliable, CLIA-certified laboratory testing.
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